Chandigarh: Bhagwant Mann, the new chief minister of Punjab and the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, announced today the launch of a helpline against corruption.
Yesterday, Mann took an oath promising that he would not "waste a day" and that the helpline number would open on March 23, the anniversary of Bhagat Singh's death.
"The anti-corruption helpline number will be my personal number... If anybody asks for a bribe, send audio and video on that number," he added.
"I am not threatening any govt employee as 99 per cent of govt employees are honest but 1 per cent of such employees are corrupt which has rotted the system. Only AAP can clean this corrupt system," he mentioned.
This number will be dedicated for people to upload video clips of corrupt officials indulging in bribe-seeking or other malpractices every day. Such officials will receive exemplary punishment, he said later.
An important promise of AAP was the eradication of corruption from Punjab, which traces its origins to Gandhi's anti-corruption movement.
Koo AppOn the day of Bhagat Singh's martyrdom we will issue anti-corruption helpline numbers. That will be my personal WhatsApp number. If anyone asks you for a bribe, send me a video / audio recording of it. Strict action will be taken against the corrupt. Corruption will no longer exist in Punjab. - Bhagwant Mann (@bhagwantmann) 17 Mar 2022
Kejriwal promised on February 5 that if the AAP formed a government that corruption in government jobs would be ended.
Today, Mr Mann discussed the need for an anti-corruption government with police and administration officials for the first time.
He told the officials gathered at the Chief Minister's Office that corrupt officers have no place in his government. "If such a complaint comes to my attention, don't expect any sort of sympathy for such a person," he said.
The Chief Minister also announced rewards for civil and police officers. The "Best Performance Award" will reward civil and police officers for making an impact on the lives of the general public on a quarterly basis, besides ensuring free and fair trials for all.